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 | SugarcultPalm Trees and Power Lines2004 Fearless 
 Review by: Phil See others by this writer Sugarcult (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on April 13th 2004
Sugarcult played around the Los Angeles area for a while, putting out independent releases before releasing their somewhat-major label debut, Start Static in the fall of 2001. The debut was a jangly, punchy, poppy collection of power pop (or pop-punk to some) songs with energetic riffs, sharp hooks and youthful energy. The band than toured, toured and toured with the likes of Less Than Jake, Unwritten Law, Mest as well as doing some of their own shows. They grew to have a reputation of partying hard (yep, they do what they like and like what they do). In fact, the drummer was ousted from the band because of unspecified substance abuse problems. Still, the band went on, gaining more and more fans in each city they visited and the CD went on to sell 300,000 copies. People who liked this also liked:  Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
If any band in the world is in it just for the money, it's these guys. The music is pathetically simple. first of all, i am a lover of sugarcult....they are my favorite band.. now besides this point, i kinda like start static better, because the lyrics are catchier (i second the motion about nothing being able to beat "pretty girl")..however, the cd is most definetely not as bad as some of you say it is. i have heard much much much worse. sugarcult rocks, no matter what "category" of music they fall under...and for the record, my three fave songs on the cd are (in this order) memory, crying, and counting stars this band is worse than good charlotte and simple plan The lyrics are fucking shallow but he album over all is pretty good. If you don't take it too seriously.... Amazing Cd that you can listen tooo over and over..=) love it I havent heard the album so i dont know why im commenting on this.. But basing it on the other peeplz comments.. I say that itz a good album.. You should listen to it.. And so do i... I want it.. Can someone give it to me for free.. Hehehe jkz... I like memory.. But i only heard the acoustic version so i think the punk version is much better... I want the other version.. Or their album.. Help me out.. I got no dosh... I comment on thingz when i havnt even listened to it.. So itz alright no one is complaining.. My advice.. Dont listen to it bcoz it sux realli bad.. Oh wait... Thatz britney spears album.. Yeh well dont listen to her album... Sugarcult's album iz much better than herz... Even though i hate britneyz songz... I still want to bang her!!! =d and bang ehr bad.. Maybe to the wall... Jkz Great album. Great review. I expected some egotistic "punk" to review this but fortunately it was an open-minded person. Great album. Great review. I expected some egotistic "punk" to review this but fortunately it was an open-minded person. Great album. Great review. I expected some egotistic "punk" to review this but fortunately it was an open-minded person. This is a good album with some really great song. I dont see why people come here to put negative comments, I mean do you seek out bands you hate and waste your time writing comments that fans of that band arent going to care about anyways? People need to stop focusing on the genre of the band and pay more attention to the MUSIC. Thats what really matters, even thought Sugarcult is labled as a POP-PUNK band ( i have to admit a pretty lame catagory) they do have meaningful songs. I think alot of people hate this band just because....well....right now its "cool" the hate pop punk bands. That PRETTY SAD. Open your mind up a bit peope! Not as good as start static...but i still love them. again, who cares what kinda of music they are as long as you like it? is it just me or did they change their image?? this album sucks, its just as crappy as good charlotte, simple plan, and all those other punk boy bands that appeal to middle school girls and those alike. What a joke, try listening to bands that know how to play their instruments and not sound like a vagina. This album is amazing. ive loved sugarcult the first time i heard them. i personally enjoy when they do their slow songs even though none on them compare to pretty girl. i heard it all and the best song is champagne. love sugarcult... this cd wasnt as good as start static but still pretty cool you know, at first this album was really disappointing, but the more I listen to it, the more I love it! If you want a taste of what the album is like, go to the sugarcult website and listen to 'she's the blade.' if you want to hear a song that (i think) is really representative of the album, download "worst december" haha i cant believe that all u dumba$$es are judging the album on the genre of music they are in! who really cares if its pop, or punk, as long as its good? And why the hell did someone give the album a bad rating because they thought it had a bad title!? that doesnt matter you moron! And just because they screwed up live doesnt mean that they suck over all ok? get it? Sugarcult frekin' rocks Yea, I'll third that gamits comment. Can't wait for the new album. I bought it yesterday afternoon. It's ok. Like the guy below said, it's not really punk at all. Just solid power pop rock. Most people talking shit on this cd probably havent heard it. Its not really pop punk at all. Its got more of an Eve6 radio pop sound to it, with a punk edge here and there. Its pretty solid, I'd say its about as good as their last album in a different way, nothing great. Pretty awful -- and I liked Start Static. I love California... best place in the world! i'll second that gamits remark i have yet to hear a modern poppunk band that are as good as the gamits. they are an amzing band. This is somewhat of a letdown compared to Start Static, but it is definetly not as bad as you guys are making it seem. It's the return of Sara(no h)! Huzzah for all o de children! Mediocre at best...sounds like every other "pop-punk" band with the exception of about two songs. Had to endure this band a few times while they opened for other bands. Sucks Score is for the band, and the band live. saw these guys on conan obrien the other night. LAME!(robot voice) I don't often bother making negative comments about bands but this album is fucking terrible. Sure it sounds different to the first album (which isn't tricky considering it was one of the most bland pop punk records I've ever heard) but that doesn't make it good. It's dire, nothing about it is interesting. Bah, how can you have listened to any music at all and have the gall to say that this isn't shite? Not as catchy as Start Static, but they are still a catchy as hell, hook filled band. I like it. Although they themselves admit to not being punk... This is another faceless band I liked Start Static better. But, this album has a few good songs. It doesn't have anything Van Wilder worthy though. Goddamnit I wish I had some fuckin weed the sad thing is as you look through your collection of bad religion and social distortion and nofx and descendents albums, and you're wearing your volcom t-shirt, you're thinking "god damn i hate living in fucking kansas california is mad overrated. People drive SUV's with no need, image is everything and you can't smoke anywhere. People from cali also think they are gods gift yet their state can't figure shit out, like the energy crisis. This band is so unpunk that they are actually punk Great review, even if the rating is a bit high. thinking sugarcult is a fucking horrible band doesn't make you an elitest... To the guy with the California statement. Go listen to Local H's new song California Songs. The whole song is about what you just said. to the guy below: California is a unique and and amazing place to go. There's no where else in the world like it. I'm in a hardcore band right now, and we're writing a song about California cause going back there means a lot to us. It's not a generic thing to sell records because almost everyone writes songs about California. Right now I'm listening to Jimmy Rankin's new single called California Dreamer. Every genre of music has hundreds of songs about that state. "Counting Stars" and "Back To California": Yeah you can tell these guys have been hardened by the road, look at these pissed of song titles. By pissed off I mean tired and cliche. Note to generic bands: stop talking about stars and california. On a side note why is the music world obsessed with writing songs that mention california? I think its a ploy to sell records to colifornia's residents, it makes them think the rest of the country shares their opinion that their state is not just a breeding ground for the trendy and the scum of our country. I liked the first album. And I'll buy this album. RaNcId PuNx I like this band. I enjoyed Start Static. Haven't heard this record yet other than the single, but I'm sure it's not half as bad as you guys are making it out to be. I guess this band isnt punk enough for you guys, one day ill have enough money and ill buy a jacket and load it up with studs and only listen to bands you say I can. Thats punk? ok My review is a review for freedom! they sucked on conan last night. Nothings perfect, but its good to see these guys change from thier previous albums. Both were different, and now this one is much more mature than the younger two. Worst December is a great song, with a different taste from before, while she's the blade is a song that could've definately fitted well on Start Static. Sign off is a great slow song that end's their album. Still, over and memory are two songs that show how these guys really feel about things, and of their experiances. This band's cds are great, but its the excitement and great live shows that keeps me comming back to see them everytime that they are in town (and because they are just all sweet guys). I like it, but sometimes it falls flat (destination anywhere). Other times its sick (memory, worst december, back to california). I wouldnt really even call this pop punk. Its just poppy radio rock but done well. It soundslike the soundtrack to one of those WB shows. Its cool, chicks will sure dig it and it shows growth from their debut. But thats about it, nothing real memorable, but nothing real offensive to it like simple plan or anything. "Awesome true story: I'll admit there are some really catchy numbers on here. However, I don't know that I can handle giving this 4 stars. That's nearing perfection. And to be honest, I'll feel a little bit wrong about something like this being regarded as perfection. what's the deal with "semi-major label" not bad....Memory is a sick ass song..everything else is kinda generic Another joke of a band... First Ben Keller gets a perfect rating for a perfectly mediocre album and now this album gets a near perfect rating while being reffered to as "great." Seriously, I know reviews are subjective, but common be a little more critical. This review is a gramatical failure. Do we need another reviews editor? green vandal! about 5 years ago i saw these guys playing a free show at universal city walk, it was before they were signed, i remember thinking they sucked but then they played a ramones song and i thought they still sucked but were cool...if that makes sense, they seem like a legite band who makes bad music The girl on the cover's tits look like small pyramids. :o( The world must be starting to rotate slower when this can get a 4 star review. Did you actually listen to this incredibly vomit worthy garbage, or did you just see the singers cool hair and tie (just like avril!) and base the score on that? Awesome true story: To the guy below. There are around 40 reviews waiting to go up on various weeks. Yours will go up based on the week's release schedule... so eventually :) I submitted one yesterday...guess it was a bit too late to make it on today. Hopefully this Friday?... Where's the Pulley review, dammit? cant bands come up with better names for albums, if i hear one more ____ and _____ im gonna go crazy boring there are only so many ways to say "barf" I can't tell whether to say "meh" or "bleh." Hey, I wrote the review for punknews.org here. Apparently they have me mixed up with some other Phil when you click on my name. I certainly do not live in Canada. But 10 stars for Canada anyways because they've spawned some of my favorite bands (Our Lady Peace, Matthew Good Band, Finger Eleven, Tea Party, Big Wreck, Gob, etc.) I don't really care for this band. The review from the guy below sucks gib did do a mighty job on the artwork here..... can't wait for that EXHAUSTRA cd this band sucks, read the punkrocks.net review of this cd. Hey Adam, did you receive my Pulley review? They're not bad at what they do, it's just that it sounds like a hundred other bands... No one cares what you think Kirby homo. The funniest thing about this band-I heard from one of their roadies that the band even hates the music that they play. They are just tired of themselves. No one cares what you think Kirby homo. i love this album. its much better then 'start static'. not to mention that these guys are incredibly nice. I really like this new album. It's more "rock" oriented and far away from that typical mainstream punk-pop sound, which is quite a relief. this is a bad cd, no ends about it, just bad. First time I saw this band, they got lost on the way to the venue, and since we'd all been kicked out, they set up and played outdoors, in this space between two houses. It was great, they didn't get far along 'cause the cops showed up, but still great. hahah, i was at that show too kirby. Sugarcult did a special 'acoustic' set, where they all sat down and played their songs w/ slow tempos. everyone just stared. i left. sad. MCS were the shit though, but I don't know about 'the world', it really lacks the charisma that laga had.... I was "fortunate" enough to see these guys live last night. They are paving the way for punk rock. Authority figures...look out! gib's artwork is beautiful. all bow to the imokay design group! |
